[m37steve]

I think the non-US MINIs with the solid wheel arches look right. I would at least like to black out the side marker lights we're stuck with here in the US, as I believe they serve little function, especially with the side repeater light on the front fender (plan on chrome for that). Any suggestions other than a rattle-can of black paint?

[my6fo]

What I was thinking was getting the part number for the euro spec ones and seeing if I can order them. I am pretty sure that they would just bolt on any other idea's on this? Jason

[noahe]

Not unless you like the look of the painted wheel arches. A few people have had it done, and most seem to like the results.

If you did opt to have all the arches sprayed, then you could simply bondo-fill the holes.

One thought. The lights/reflectors in the wheel spats serve as a warning to other drivers. The side marker light is fine, but it is not reflective. So if you were pulling out across traffic, at night, and either going straight across a street, or turning right (with oncomming traffic) you wouldn't be seen.

Every car sold here has the turn signal indicators wrap a little around the side of the car, with a visible reflector. Those that don't, get another reflector. MINI did the best they could. Since North American drivers are clued into looking for these side-reflectors, you might be removing or defeating them at your own peril.

It's probably up to you, but would you really want to get a ticket, or fail a safety certification because you changed it?

[m37steve]

Thanks-I didn't know the fender-mounted light was non-reflective. I've ordered an all-black Cooper, and prefer all-black wheel arches/spats. I'm thinking if I put dark window tint on the side marker light lenses I might darken them up without defeating them completely. Or I could get an extra set of lenses and keep them untinted for use at inspection time-- should be an easy swap? Don't worry, I won't lose too much sleep pondering this . . .

[noahe]

Try and aerosol black-out spray, like the stuff people use to make their taillights black, before white became so popular.

Then you would have your black effect, but still be visible at night (hopefully - you could always increase the bulb wattage if it's too dark). I can't imagine the reflectors matter in the day, and at night, you've got the lights on.

The spray would be a cleaner application, since the side reflectors just pop out.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe
....since the side reflectors just pop out.

Do they? Are you sure?

The online Owner's Manual says to take your MINI to the dealer if a front or rear sidemarker light bulb fails.

Seemed a little bit extreme to me when I read it.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK
Do they? Are you sure?

The online Owner's Manual says to take your MINI to the dealer if a front or rear sidemarker light bulb fails.

Seemed a little bit extreme to me when I read it.

Shoot Bruce, you're right. On closer inspection, you can't pop 'em out - ON THE CAR. It sounds more like you have to take that section of the wheel arch off, flex the arch, and the reflector pops out. You cannot flex it sufficiently on the car.

I don't know about you, but I sure don't want to take my car back to the dealer for a bulb fitment. I might buy the bulb from them, but I don't want to pay a mechanic to do it for me.

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe
...I don't know about you, but I sure don't want to take my car back to the dealer for a bulb fitment. I might buy the bulb from them, but I don't want to pay a mechanic to do it for me.

The front fog lamps fall into the same catagory - the manual says a burnt bulb must be replaced at at the dealer!

[noahe]

Well, if there is anywhere we'd find out how to change these things ourself, it'd be here.

That $100 shop manual on a CD-ROM is sounding better all the time.

[MiNiGuY]

People with side markers need to check that it's not a legal requirement in their area first.
That's why they are there in the first place.
Then again, it's your car!!

[Squidly]

Would anyone happen to have the part numbers for the black wheel arch parts which include the US/Canada marker lights (Amber & Red). I really like these and would like to fit them to my car here in the UK. I'm going to be visiting San Francisco on business very soon and wondered if anyone could inform me of the numbers.

Thanks in advance

Squidly